Armondo Uribe makes the party happen

 

 

You’re planning a party or a wedding and you need the cake of all cakes, photos of the event and a video to always remember the special occasion. Who do you call?

The person who can come to the rescue in all respects is Armondo Uribe. A resident of Buellton, he has been employed with the Solvang Bakery as a cook for 25 years, and his specialty is wedding cakes. As for the photos and videos – photography is his passion, and he has learned the craft from some of the best professionals in the Santa Ynez Valley.

 

Helping local residents celebrate Quinceañera, the “Sweet 15” event for young Latinas, has been one of the most popular requests for Uribe’s services. In addition to the video, cake and photos, he presents the family with a large coffee table photo album that shows the celebration from beginning to end.

As for the videos, the end product is a movie showing the wedding, reunion or ceremony in full, as well as any reception afterward.

“Armondo is one of the best videographers in the Valley,” insisted Lavoy Shepherd, owner of Classic Video Productions.

 

Shepherd, a former Solvang resident who now lives in Oroville, added, “He has learned all the tricks of the industry and his videos are very well done.”

An equine photographer and videographer, Shepherd helped Uribe get his start in the area and often has given his name as a referral. Uribe has been producing videos for almost 10 years.

“I always liked to do photography and everywhere we went I was taking photos and shooting video,” Uribe recalled. He was finally able to take a class at Allan Hancock College and then set up his business with the help of Shepherd and other friends who were happy to call him to film their events. His calendar now fills up weeks in advance simply by word of mouth.

 

“People see my work when they show their videos to their friends and then their friends call me. We keep very busy, especially in the spring and summer,” he added.

As for his cakes, Uribe has been affiliated with the Solvang Bakery since he first came to the U.S. from Mexico as a teenager. As one of 17 children of Rafael and Carmen Uribe, he worked at the bakery, along with much of his family, learning that craft as well. At one time, he said, there were as many as 12 relatives working at the bakery.

He makes cakes for about 70 percent of the events at which he is also photographer and videographer. “It’s a small town!” he said, shrugging his shoulders.

 

He was determined to become a citizen as soon as he arrived in the area, and he achieved that goal seven years ago. His wife, Letcy, owns her own cleaning business; his daughter, Elida, is a cosmetologist; and son David attends Allan Hancock College and also works at the bakery. David accompanies his father on photo shoots when the request has been for both photography and video.

“David is becoming a very good videographer,” Uribe insisted. “He has learned very fast.”

Uribe does all his own editing for the videos and sets the movies to music if asked. He also designs the coffee table book before sending it to the printer. “I do all my own work to make sure it’s right for the occasion,” he explained.

The album is a recent addition to his business. He saw such a book one day when visiting with another photographer and decided to make it part of his portfolio as well. It also has been a popular request as an occasion memento.

“Does he see himself someday doing only photography and videos? “Why should I limit myself?” he asked. “I can help people with everything they need to celebrate – I like the variety and I make the best cakes – besides, it’s fun to shoot photos of people enjoying the cakes I make.

 

I’m probably the one having the most fun at the events I attend and photograph.”

Uribe can be reached at 688-0363.